Paranormal Myths by Lisa Schreiner

Paranormal Myths

Working in the paranormal field can prove to be quite challenging, as far as research is concerned. With so much broadcasted on the internet, it’s hard to tell what’s legit and what’s myth. Although mostly everything is considered “theory” with the paranormal, there are just plain untrue myths in this field. Here are the most popular and most questioned “theories” we’ve come across.

Paranormal activity only occurs at night

This is simply just not true. Many paranormal groups consider 3am to be “dead time,” the most active time for paranormal activity. Some will say between the hours of 12am and 1am are the most active. It depends on the person(s) you are talking to. Spirits don’t have a sense of time. If a location is considered haunted, it should be active whether it’s dark or light out. Ghost hunting television shows have investigations at night for the “creepy” effect. It’s on television, it’s for entertainment. Would you watch a show like Ghost Hunters or Paranormal State if the investigations took place in broad daylight?

There is one logical explanation for investigating at night. It is a lot quieter at night. Less people are out and about and there are less distractions. This would really only apply to outdoor or public area investigations.

All ghosts are demonic or mean harm

Of course there are people who have passed on that may not have been the nicest people while they were alive. Does this mean they go into a parallel universe as evil-spirited entities, bound to torment the living? Absolutely not. There are spirits out there that are malicious and can attempt to harm whoever it is they’ve attached themselves to. This is mainly known as a poltergeist haunting. Poltergeists are not common and usually deal with an attachment to a property and the historical meaning behind it.

Just because a person or a place is being haunted does not mean it’s a bad thing. Residual hauntings are usually the most common. A residual haunting is like a movie that keeps playing the same scene over and over again. The spirit does not know you’re there and goes about it’s business, often repeating the same routine. Intelligent hauntings are also very common. This is where a spirit will actually interact with you. But again, just because it’s interacting, does not mean it means harm. Some just want to communicate, especially if their death was sudden and tragic. Some don’t even know their dead.

The only hauntings anyone should be afraid of are demonic hauntings. Demons are not human and never were. They will usually prey on those that are mentally and/or physically weak. The more you succumb to a demonic possession, the easier it is to be taken over. This won’t seem like any other sort of haunting.

Equipment is necessary to investigate

Modern technology is both a blessing and a curse in the paranormal field. In a scientific sense, equipment is great to have. It can prove and disprove hauntings. However, as with any technology, it isn’t the most reliable. For instance, EMF detectors measure electromagnetic fields; but they don’t give off accurate readings in extreme temperatures or a high percentage of humidity. The best “equipment” there is of course, is yourself. A person’s intuition is the most reliable and resourceful thing to use. Unfortunately, your own personal experiences cannot be documented, therefore making it impossible to prove a haunting. Cameras and audio recording devices are also more reliable to use. Side equipment such as EMF detectors, thermometers, KII meters, wind meters, volt meters and Geiger counters are merely theological devices. Always be aware of your surroundings and take them into consideration before using the equipment. What is seen as paranormal activity could simply just be a natural effect in the environment around you.

There are “professional” paranormal investigators

If someone tries to tell you they are a “professional” paranormal investigator, call them out on it. There is no profession for this field. There are no classes at schools to qualify you as a paranormal investigator. Everything in the paranormal field is theory and questionable. Nothing can ever be proven as death and the spiritual world is often considered a taboo subject amongst many religious groups. There are many people and many paranormal groups that have certain standards to becoming investigators. This is at the discretion of the person or group; there are no rule books in the paranormal field. Generally, people will go by what has been advised in the past along with their own knowledge. As cliché as it might sound, knowledge is power. Constantly research and educate yourself. This field is very eclectic and there are many, many different opinions to find.

If activity stops, the spirits are gone

Some people who have had their homes or businesses investigated will say they feel like the spirit is gone. This might be true…for the time being. There could be a wave of heavy paranormal activity in a short time span, and then all of a sudden, you might not experience anything for weeks, months or even years. Activity can dissipate just as quickly as it came about. It can be overwhelming one minute and sporatic the next. There are many factors to take into consideration. Is it residual? What’s the history of the location? Was there any provocation? Is it a certain time of year that the activity happens?

Ouija boards are good to use for communication

Under no circumstances are Ouija boards to be used to communicate with spirits. It doesn’t have to be a Milton Bradley/Parker Bros. board game, either. Ouija boards can be created with paper, pen and a clear cup. It doesn’t matter what you use. When you permit anything to use your body to communicate (putting your fingers on a dial and asking a spirit to spell something out), it is giving that spirit permission to possess you. If this is a demonic force or even just a malicious spirit, it can prove to be extremely dangerous. You can cause severe problems that are very, very hard to rectify. LIPRI does not condone the use of Ouija boards or anything of the sort. The best way to communicate with a spirit is to simply speak to it.

Provoking a spirit is a guaranteed way to cause activity

Riding on the coattails of using a Ouija board, provoking a spirit is never a good idea. Not only can it anger a spirit and cause unfavorable results, if this is done in a private home, it can leave the homeowner with more problems than they had before. Provocation should never be done in a home, but it is also highly recommended that it not be done at a public location either. Contrary to what is believed, spirits can in fact follow you home; there are no barriers. If you provoke and insult a spirit, you can suffer the consequences for a long time to come.

If you have any questions on myths that were not cleared up here, please feel free to contact us. We will be more than happy to give you the best advise we can with the combined knowledge and experience we have.